Friday, August 16, 2013

Down comes the big tree!

Another busy day.  We just happened to be up by the north gate when another home arrived.  This one is headed for Site 1924 along the golf course.  Congratulations to Jim and Janet on their new house!!

 
Here it is already in place within an hour or so.  These guys are getting faster with all the practice they're getting at setting in homes here.
 
Of course, John Blount was already there to do the initial inspection.
 
This poor crew at the tennis courts is still working away in the 108 degree sunshine.  Whew!
All the pipes and poles are first washed with gasoline....then painted with primer....and then with the new special black paint.  There are a LOT of poles on those courts.  Thank goodness for the electrostatic spray paint.



The center circle at Palm Park is coming along nicely.
 
 
Lots of measuring and precise cuts needed in a project like this.

 
The front wall of the new stage is going up at the north end of Palm Park.
 
All the footings are in place.
 
Fitness center continues with a busy crew of electricians.
 
Concrete is poured and curing at the bistro.  
 
Over at the street of dreams, they'll be pulling out these single wide park models since they won't be used anymore.
 
Remember that huge tall palm tree between the ballroom and the card rooms??  Time for it to come down!  How ever will they do that in such tight quarters?  The tree was too soft to climb manually so Jim had to bring in the big guns for the job.
 
This big bucket truck was needed so they could saw the tree down in pieces.  The truck JUST barely fit through the walkway.  I watched them maneuver the thing though the tight space.  Good job, guys!
 
They even managed to miss these sprinkler heads by an inch or two.
 
Once they got it this far, they could reach it with the very high tall bucket and a chainsaw.
 
 
This man sawed off small pieces about 10-12 inches and dropped them down to the ground.
 
Piece by piece, the tree comes down.  I watched for a long time but at 107 degrees I soon melted.  Don is up in the pool room so I gave him orders to take some photos when the job was completed.
 
 
Here is a short video of the process:

Aha.....and here is a lovely photo of more wildlife here.  Beautiful praying mantis.  Love this camera!
 
Never fear.....the acorn woodpeckers are still here.  Spied this couple this morning too.

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                      And now....let Bob Hope entertain you once again.
BOB HOPE IN HEAVEN
For those of you too young to remember Bob Hope, ask your Grandparents
.

 And thanks for the memories. 


I HOPE THIS WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART.
ON TURNING 70
'I still chase women, but only
Downhill.
ON TURNING 80
'That's the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing.'

ON TURNING 90

'You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.'

ON TURNING 100

'I don't feel old. In fact
, I don't feel 
Anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.'
0

ON NEVER WINNING AN OSCAR

'Welcome to the Academy Awards or, as it's called at my home, 'Passover'.
 
ON GOLF

'Golf is my profession. Show business is just to pay the green fees.'

ON PRESIDENTS

'I have performed for 12 presidents and entertained only six.'


ON WHY HE CHOSE SHOWBIZ FOR HIS
CAREER
'When I was born, the doctor said to my mother,
 
Congratulations, you have an eight pound ham.

ON HIS FAMILY'S EARLY POVERTY

'Four of us slept in the one bed. When it got cold, mother threw on another brother.'

ON HIS SIX BROTHERS
'That's how I learned to dance. Waiting for the bathroom.'

ON HIS EARLY FAILURES
'I would not have had anything to eat if it wasn't for the
Stuff the audience threw at me.' 

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